TROTTING Robin Dundee And Va Vite In Sound Trial

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 4

TROTTING Robin Dundee And Va Vite In Sound Trial

The Southland pacers, Va Vite and Robin Dundee, confirmed the forward showings they made at last week’s trials when they were worked at Addington yesterday morning. Trainers had the use of the main track next to the rails, but most of the work was done from six to 10 feet out. The track was surprisingly fast, considering the cold, southerly wind which swept the course.

Robin Dundee and Va Vite went away from behind the starting gate near the 12 furlongs and a half mark. Robin Dundee took a few strides to settle down and become balanced and with one mile and a half left she was about five lengths behind Va Vite.

Robin Dundee quickly made up her lost ground and she moved up to take the lead from Va Vite at the end of six furlongs in Imin 40sec. Va Vite moved up to Robin Dundee inside the final furlong and at the finish they were pacing easily together with Robin Dundee perhaps having the edge on her rival. Va Vite took 3min 17 3-ssec for the 12 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 4 3-ssec, and the final quarter in 31 l-ssec. Robin Dundee will be in demand in the August Stakes, which will be started from behind the gate on Saturday when the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will open the trotting season with the first day of its national meeting. Robin Dundee appears to have thrived since last she raced and it will be most surprising if this consistent Hal Tryax mare fails to pay expenses Va Vite is a candidate for both the Louisson Handicap and the Lightning Free-for-all. If favoured with a good trail until inside the furlong in both races, she should take a prominent part in the finishes of both events. Like Robin Dundee, she appears to be well forward.

Loyal Brigade made the pace for Zagar and Reprimand, which started two seconds behind the other pair, in a very easy run over one mile and a half in 3m in 30 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 7 l-ssec, and the final quarter in 32 l-ssec. Loyal Brigade won by about a length from Zagar, with two lengths back to Reprimand, which looked to have plenty in reserve at the finish.

Loyal Brigade will contest the two-mile Ribbonwood Handicap on Saturday, while Reprimand will start in the Christchurch Handicap Zagar, a 14-year-old gelding by U. Scott from Virginia Song, has not raced since April, 1961. His chances of coming back to form look remote. Quiet Run Bonny Starlet and Lynwood Earl finished in terms at the end of an easy two miles in 4min 44 2-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 4 2-ssec and the final quarter in 31 2-ssec. Bonny Starlet will start in the Louisson Handicap and Lynwood Earl in the August Stakes on Saturday

Both have improved since racing at the trials last week but they could need another run to bring them to their peak. Morano Boy, Aquaplane and Meadow Scott finished in close order three lengths in front of Flaming Way, which was not hurried, with a long gap to Harbour Light at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 23 2-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 4 3-ssec, and the final quarter in 31 2-ssec. Harbour Light did not appear to be properly balanced on reaching the first bend and she lost a lot of ground then. TLater she found difficulty in handling the bends. In the straights she stretched out in grand style and in spite of this rather disappointing effort, she will be in demand in the Opening Handicap on Saturday Morano Boy looks improved as a result of his run at the trials and he could be an early winner. Meadow Scott and Flaming Way should both benefit from their work.

Our Jimmy, Avante and Carina Star went easily over one mile and a half in 3min 28 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 8 3-ssec. and the final quarter in 32 2-ssec. None of them are engaged on the first day at Addington. Astralight gave a grand display of trotting to shade his stablemate, Young Betty, at

the end of an easy two miles in 4min 47 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 6sec, and the final quarter in 30 3-ssec Astralight went well at last week’s trials and after yesterday’s bold showing, he looks to be one of the brighter prospects in the Opening Handicap Astralight was a model of consistency last season and he looks even better now.

Spinster Scott and Control had little pace on in the early stages of their work They took 3min 33sec for their last mile and a half and finished on terms after taking Imin 6 2-ssec for their last half-mile and sorinting the final quarter in 30 3-ssec Both horses look to have thrived and they were keen to improve. Johnny Thunder went on his own over one mile and a half from behind the starting gate when conditions were at their fastest. He sprinted his first quarter in 31 2-ssec and then slowed right down in the middle stages. He took 3min 28sec for the full distance, his last half-mile in Imin ssec. He sprinted his final quarter in the smart time of 28 2-ssec. Johnny Thunder looks much stronger now than last season and he will not be a forlorn hope in the Templeton Stakes, the second leg of the double on Saturday.